Here They Are — The Best Comic Books of 2013!

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Here They Are — The Best Comic Books of 2013!

Okay, fine: Comic books aren’t the most predictable things ever. We've seen fantastic comics take a sudden turn and become all but unreadable, and seen comics no one heard of until two seconds ago skyrocket to greatness. But we can still make some pretty good guesses about the most promising comics, graphic novels, and collected editions on the horizon -- or even if we can’t, we’re about to give it a shot. Whether you’re a long-time reader of the sequential arts or just looking for some titles to try out, here are the comics to keep your eye on in 2013.
Above:FF, by Matt Fraction and Mike Allred (Marvel, ongoing)
It’s been a rough couple of years for superhero comics—thanks to Marvel charging as much as they can for endless “event” books, and DC still stumbling through their clumsy “New 52” reboot, it’s hard to find superhero books that are as much fun as they should be. But here’s one! Teaming up with Madman genius Mike Allred, Casanova and Invincible Iron Man writer Matt Fraction digs into the bizarre, poppy, retro fun that the Marvel Universe can still provide—what begins as just one more book about the Fantastic Four soon heads into territory that’s a lot more fun. (If FF doesn’t sate your superhero hunger, Fraction’s got another great ongoing, too: With Hawkeye, Fraction and artist David Aja have somehow given the crappiest Avenger a way better book than any of his teammates have.)

Godzilla: Half-Century War, by James Stokoe (IDW, April)
One of 2012’s underrated titles, Orc Stain creator James Stokoe’s take on Godzilla finally gets collected this spring. Sure, it includes the obligatory things every Godzilla story needs (Godzilla, stuff, Godzilla smashing stuff), but it’s also a solid, engaging war comic that charts puny humans’ wearying, never-ending battles against monsters that have zero respect for personal property. Lots of kids got into comics just to see monsters causing chaos; the big, loud Half-Century War scratches that itch, but accomplishes some more, too. But not too much more. Because, still: Godzilla. Stuff. Godzilla smashing stuff.

Sandman, by Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams III (Vertigo, 2013)
Twenty-five years ago, Neil Gaiman’s trailblazing Sandman debuted, and quickly grew into one of the medium’s undeniable classics. (Seriously, try denying it. You’ll be torn to pieces by fanboys and goth girls before you can even let out a “Stop! No! But I liked that episode of Doctor Who he wroooooote!”) So: Gaiman coming back to write a new Sandman miniseries, this time with superstar artist J.H. Williams III in tow? Yeah. Kind of a big deal. Kind of a huge deal.

Star Wars, by Brian Wood and Carlos D’Anda (Dark Horse, ongoing)
Dark Horse Comics has been expanding the Star Wars universe since 1991, and while some great books have come out of it, two decades’ worth of lightsabers, Death Stars, and Yoda’s effed-up syntax have made jumping into the books a daunting endeavor. But now a refreshingly back-to-basics series has changed all that: With Star Wars, writer Brian Wood and artist Carlos D’Anda tell stories set just after the original 1977 film. Even better, it isn’t about clones you don’t give a midichlorian’s ass about. Instead, it stars Luke, Han, Chewie, and, most importantly, Leia, who finally gets behind the throttle of her own X-Wing. With its first issue already out, this is a sharp, breathlessly exciting reminder of how much fun Star Wars can be. (And if you’re looking for a book by Wood that isn’t set in a galaxy far, far away? Check out The Massive, also from Dark Horse, and set after natural disasters have remade the planet, it’s ambitious, intense, and smart.)

Good Dog, by Graham Chaffee (Fantagraphics, April)
You could say that Good Dog is The Big Wheels cartoonist Graham Chaffee’s return to comics after a 10-year absence, or you could say that it has all the polish and purpose borne by most books put out by fancy-pants publisher Fantagraphics. Or you could just say this simple fact: The world does not have nearly enough graphic novels told from the perspective of adorable dogs. Let alone graphic novels that have a good chance of making you feel delighted on one page, then maybe like you might cry a little bit on the next page. Good Dog does those things, and also, did I mention it’s told from the perspective of an adorable dog? Seriously, the dog is so great! I would adopt him in a second and we would do everything together.

Helheim, by Cullen Bunn and Joëlle Jones (Oni Press, March)
Conflict of interest alert: I know artist Joëlle Jones in real life. But I’d be including Helheim in here even if I didn’t, so geez, journalistic ethics, get off my back already. The upcoming series from Cullen Bunn, the writer behind the excellent western The 6th Gun, Helheim promises to be a hell of a thing. Why? Two words: Undead Vikings. Plus: A whole lot of axes, a whole lot of snow, and a whole lot of blood.

Lookouts, by Ben McCool and Robb Mommaerts (Cryptozoic, March)
Lookouts was originally a side project from the guys at the webcomic Penny Arcade, but now, in the confident hands of writer Ben McCool and artist Robb Mommaerts, it’s been transformed into a remarkably enjoyable, heartwarmingly inventive all-ages book. The laziest way to describe Lookouts would be as “Boy Scouts in Middle-earth,” but that doesn’t come close to doing it justice. Addictive and charming, the series’ first arc gets collected in a snazzy hardcover this spring. It will immediately make you want to go camping. And also fight some monsters.

Pretty Deadly, by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios (Image, 2013)
The badass duo behind Osborn — 2011’s great miniseries study of Spider-Man supervillainy, starring Peter Parker’s most conniving and poorly coiffed foe — team up for a Sergio Leone-inspired western. Let’s just leave it at that, because c’mon. Like you need to know anything else.

Princeless, by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin (Action Lab Comics, February)
Another sharp all-ages title, Princeless is what happens when an ostensibly helpless fairy-tale princess gets sick of being stuck in a tower and decides to pick up a sword, strap on some shining armor, and hop onto the back of the dragon that’s supposed to be protecting her. After its first run was nominated for several prestigious Eisner awards, Princeless’ second volume starts up in February. Pick it up for any impressionable kids you know -- and grab a copy for yourself, too.

Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image, ongoing)
Here’s a crazy prediction: The best new title of 2012 will continue kicking ass in 2013. Cleverly and touchingly written by Y: The Last Man’s Brian K. Vaughan and stunningly illustrated by Fiona Staples, Saga is a sci-fi/fantasy/action/romance/comedy/thriller/drama that… well, hell. Look at all those slash marks! It’s unlike anything else on the shelves! (That wouldn’t count for much if Saga wasn’t also better than just about everything else on the shelves.) With a $10 paperback that collects the first six issues, it’s neither too late nor too difficult to get caught up. You’ll be glad you did.

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, by Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, and Becky Cloonan (Dark Horse, June)
A few years ago, My Chemical Romance front man Gerard Way announced he was going to start dabbling in funnybooks, and everyone braced themselves for yet another bullshitty celebrity vanity project. But then — whaa? — The Umbrella Academy turned out to be one of the weirdest, coolest superhero books in recent memory. Now Way returns with The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, a series spinning off from a 2010 My Chemical Romance album and featuring art from the fantastic Becky Cloonan. For some idea about what Killjoys might be like, check out this obnoxiously named but still pretty great music video. (Oh, Grant Morrison! You’re the Grant Morrison-iest.)
Wow. That song title really is super obnoxious, isn’t it? But chances are the book will be great, so hey, it all balances out.

Trillium, by Jeff Lemire (Vertigo, 2013)
After pretty much amazing everybody all the time with books like Essex County, Animal Man, and The Underwater Welder, the scary-talented writer/artist Jeff Lemire’s got another book coming out sometime this year. Trillium is a love story set in the year 3797. And also set in 1921? Look, it’s probably best not to ask too many questions yet — just know there’s a new Jeff Lemire book coming, and it sounds just as unique as his other work, and this is a very good thing.
Special thanks to Michael Ring at Bridge City Comics and Jason Leivian at Floating World Comics for their invaluable prophecies regarding the comic books of the future.